19th annual Empty Bowls event at courthouse plaza Sunday

Good soup, good cause, good time

Empty Bowls, a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and action on the complex issues of food security, takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, on the courthouse plaza.

Volunteers have made the Empty Bowls event a success for the past 18 years. This year proves to be yet another fun and fulfilling opportunity to help keep local food banks stocked and at the same time enjoy two bowls of gourmet soup and take home a handmade soup bowl.

The annual event takes place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, on the Courthouse Plaza. Empty Bowls is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and action on the complex issues of food security.

Prescott Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist congregations have sponsored this community outreach for 19 years. Through the help of volunteer artists and ceramicists, they have amassed more than 600 handmade bowls for participants to choose from as they peruse 14 choices of gourmet soup donated by local restaurants. They pick two soups to dine on along with a bread roll and water. The cost: $15.

Smoki Museum donates their tables and chairs to use, and U.S. Services provides the soupspoons and napkins. Educational information is available on nutrition, local farm and community garden programs. Another table will display items for a silent auction and raffle. Prescott Area Wood Turners have donated more than 100 handcrafted wood bowls.

The youth band, The Cross Eyed Possum, will entertain those waiting in line.

“Many have supported us from the beginning and say they love meeting and chatting to the people in line and listening to the music. They wouldn’t miss the opportunity to buy another bowl when they know the donation goes to such a good cause,” said event coordinator Eunice Ricklefs.